Richards Admits Guilt in Attack on Wife and Children
Matthew Lee Richards, a former children’s pastor in Kansas, has pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder after trying to kill his wife and five children and set fire to their home. Richards had previously faced six charges, including attempted first-degree murder and aggravated arson.
The incident occurred on September 16, 2023, in Shawnee, Kansas. Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 3:30 a.m. to find Richards’s family members suffering from severe lacerations on their front lawn. Authorities also discovered a house fire, which was later determined to be part of his attempt to end their lives.
Richards’s Motivation and Confession
Richards, who worked as a children’s pastor at Crossroads Christian Church and as a seventh-grade English teacher at Christ Preparatory Academy, told investigators that financial distress motivated his actions. He admitted that his family was facing eviction, and he believed it would be better for them to die rather than experience the trauma of losing their home.
One of Richards’s children told police that they had been asleep when their father suddenly began stabbing them, forcing them to flee outside. In his confession, Richards told authorities, “I stabbed my family,” and later recalled thinking of himself as a “monster.”
Church and Community React to Tragedy
Following the attack, Richards’s wife and two of their children were hospitalized, while the other three children were treated and released. The case has shocked the Shawnee community, especially those connected to Crossroads Christian Church, where Richards had served in children’s ministry.
The church released a statement expressing deep sorrow and support for the victims. Church leaders described the incident as unimaginable and pledged assistance for the affected family members. They also requested privacy and prayers for those impacted.
Sentencing Set for March 26
Richards is scheduled for sentencing on March 26, 2025. While supporters of the family emphasize the need for justice and healing, others debate the role mental health and financial struggles may have played in the crime. Regardless, the case has left a lasting impact on the community.
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Former Children’s Pastor Pleads Guilty After Attempting to Murder His Wife and 5 Kids
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